PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Uttarkashi The authorities on Friday cleared debris blocking the flow of Yamuna river which had caused a lake to form and submerge many buildings at Syanachatti in Uttarkashi. Earlier, miffed at the alleged inefficiency of the authorities, the local residents of Syanachatti staged a protest in the lake formed due to debris blocking the flow of the Yamuna river in this area of Uttarkashi district. The level of the lake rose further on Thursday night. A number of homes, a motor bridge, hotels and government buildings were partially or fully submerged in the rising waters of the Yamuna. The district magistrate Prashant Arya is in the area and monitoring the situation and directed that priority should be accorded to facilitating safe draining of water to normalise the flow of the river.The locals should not face shortage of food and other essential commodities, he said, while adding that the affected families will be provided all possible assistance till the draining is completed. The Health department has been directed to remain alert round the clock while an ambulance each has been deployed on both sides of the lake. Yamunotri MLA Sanjay Dobhal and district Panchayat head Ramesh Chauhan also reached Syanachatti to check the situation. Meanwhile, the locals expressed dissatisfaction with the authorities, stating that they had not been provided any relief materials so far. The nearby primary school, government building and other properties have been submerged which is affecting studies of the children and public facilities, they said. The locals also alleged that the situation would not have reached this level had the authorities worked efficiently and on time.